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2023, 11-06 Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING City of Spokane Valley City Council Study Session Monday, November 6, 2023 Mayor Haley called the meeting to order at 1:00p.m. The meeting was held in person by Council and staff in Room 212 at CenterPlace, 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, and also remotely via Zoom meeting. Attendance: Councilmembers Staff Pam Haley, Mayor John Hohman, City Manager Rod Higgins, Deputy Mayor Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks & Roe Director Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director Laura Padden, Councilmember Jill Smith, Communications Manager Ben Wick, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney Arne Woodard, Councilmember Morgan Koudelka, Administrative Analyst Dave Ellis, Police Chief Others in Attendance: Sean Walter, Assistant Police Chief Kelly Konkright, Attorney Chad Knodel, IT Manager Justan Kinsel, IT Specialist Marci Patterson, City Clerk ROLL CALL: City Clerk Patterson called roll; all Councilmembers were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. NON -ACTION ITEMS: 1. Admin Report: Law Enforcement Staffing Report -- Erik Lamb, Chief Ellis, Morgan Koudelka, Matrix_ Consulting Mr. Lamb opened the meeting and introduced Richard Brady, President of Matrix Consulting. Mr. Brady stated that they would cover the findings and recommendations. The study objectives would include analyzing police workloads and service levels, comparing police services in Spokane Valley to best practices, evaluate staffing levels and operations, and evaluate opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of police services. The study methodology included extensive interviews with Sheriff's Office personnel serving Spokane Valley, extensive collection of data to support the analysis of all police functions in the City, a comparison of operations management practices against best practices in law enforcement, and an iterative process which included extensive reviews with the City and the Sheriff's Office. Patrol: Findings included proactivity by hour/day recommending: increase patrol staffing by 9 officers increase patrol sergeants by 1. Council questioned the power shift to help to cover those holes ill shifts and was it being used now? Council also questioned the requirements of minimum of one deputy per district, however that is not a realistic number now with six on a shift and covering the areas. Mr. Bradly stated that findings cover that and still have a power shift with a slight change in operation of hours. Chief Ellis stated a power shift that is fully staffed would include four each shift per platoon with a start time of 1:00pm to 1:00am and he is recommending starting at noon. Mr. Koudelka stated three K9 deputies that have been considered part of the patrols units and are in the power shift platoons as well. Traffic Enforcement and Investigations: Findings included having accident visibility at important work hours and also include accident investigations deployed in school zones. The addition of two more deputies Homeless Outreach Team & Behavioral Health Unit added a deputy to work with SVP co - Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 09-19-2023 Page 1 of 2 Approved by Council: 03-12-2024 response model that works the best within our area. The findings Suggest maintaining the two civilian personnel. Property and Drug Crime Investigations: Findings note there is CLUTCutly one sergeant and 10 detectives that are not handled by the MaJor Crimes Unit (a shared reSOUrCC), it was recommend one more sergeant and six additional detectives. With the shared resources, it was recommended to have additional staff, one detective for major crimes one detective for sex crimes, Administration: Findings showed SCOPE efforts in the community are a valuable asset, A Resource Officer is currently assigned to each high school. Given the number of schools in Spokane Valley, their distance, and the growing public concern about school safety, a sergeant and 3 deputies should be added. Council discussed how to prioritize what we do and look at the biggest impact to start with. Mr. Brady stated that council should look at current needs and that is what will have the biggest impact. Currently, patrols are important and more than anything else will impact the perspective to the public. Mr. Lamb noted that we can plan for future needs. Mr. Koudelka discussed that council can determine what current needs are in order to better determine future needs and drivers For the future strategies. Mr. Lamb discussed the possibility of a civilian position and that keeping data for future uses would assist with the next steps. Council noted that tl)c civilian position would need access to the data and that we need thern at a level that they would be able to gather and compile all the data, Mr. Lamb noted that there could be an annual review of the data and look at what the trends are for patrols etc. and that Would assist us with where our needs are and to better address problem areas. City Manager Hohman closed the discussion by thanking the team and would like the council to look over the report and reflect on the numbers. Ile stated that we have not changed the number of staff for 15 years in the police contract. dale would like them to'review this request and then start to review funding options and servicing as this is the number one priority for the council, 2, Advance Agenda — Mayor Haley There was nothing to acid to the advance agenda. COUNCIL COMMENTS 'I'liere were no further Council comments. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr, Hohnian noted that there would not be a meeting tomorrow as it is Election Day. It was moved h Dej,),uly Maym' Higgil?S, SeCOTICle(l U17(1 1,1116117imously qgj,ved' to a(ljourn. The mecting adjourned at 2:24 p.m. A'ITEST, Marci\Patterson, City Clerk Pam Haley, May&P COMICH Meeting, MillLACS, StUdy SCSSi011: 09-19-2023 Approved by Council: 03-12-2024 Page 2 of 2